The Bridge Newspaper - October Edition

Prisons Week

Exploring the theme of Welcome at launch of Black History Month

The Diocese of Southwark’s fifteenth annual Black History Month thanksgiving Eucharist took place at Southwark Cathedral on 1 October. This year’s theme is Welcome and draws on the bible passage in Matthew 25.35 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” In partnership with the Diocesan Board of Education, the service was a colourful joyful event.

The Revd Solomon Ekiyor, who fled Ukraine with his family, read the First Reading from Galatians 3.23-29 in his

mother tongue of Ijaw, from Nigeria. Afterwards Bishop Christopher invited him to give an update on the situation in Ukraine. He took the opportunity to also thank the Diocese and Bishop Christopher for their support and prayers.

In place of the sermon, students from St Mark’s Academy, Mitcham, read from their essays, responding to the question of what it means to be one in Christ.

Bishop Rosemarie introduced the essays with a reflection. She said, “Belonging to the community depends on God’s call and then we live out that calling. The way we demonstrate that call is that we walk with God and we live in unity with others.”

Moving prayers of Intercession were led by students from St Saviour’s and St Olave’s School, St Gabriel’s College, and St Marin in the Fields High School for Girls. The talented Samuel Johnson blessed the congregation with his drumming.

Three workshops followed the service, Refugee Welcome by Revd Linda Fox explored ways that we can welcome asylum seekers and refugees; Children and Young Peoples Welcome by Revd Rachael Gledhill explored welcome from a child’s perspective; Tallawah, in the context of welcome and black joy by Jheni Arboine explored using mark-making and collage as forms of reflective prayer and praise. Workshop participants were invited to write down their prayers and reflections and put them on a Prayer Tree at the front of the altar. These will be shared on the Diocesan website over the duration of Black History Month.

Workshop facilitator, Jheni Arboine, places a prayer on the Prayer Tree.

Bishops

Rosemarie

view

BRIDGE

We talk in the diocesan office about unity of purpose rather often. On Saturday as you can see on the front page and page 3, we had a wonderful service, in partnership with the Southwark Diocese Board of Education, to celebrate Black History Month in a diocese which is fully committed to the implementation of our AntiRacism Charter.

Our service, worshipping God in Liturgy and learning from our workshops, was made all the more rich and moving by the reflections of young people from some of our SDBE secondary schools. There were also young people in the serving team, playing drums, reading their essays and leading our prayers. It was such a rich and rewarding day. Yet there was more and we had some wonderful colleagues attending on Saturday who, for many years, have worked so hard to develop our policies and practices for our UKME work. The photographs display this so well.

The richness of this issue of course comes also from the extraordinary times that we have just witnessed as a nation in the light of the passing of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II (pages 6–7).

Southwark Cathedral played a leading role as a hub for chaplaincy services to the hundreds of thousands queueing to pay their respects to the late Queen. And yet more… as we ponder our witness and vocation, we also pay tribute to other chaplains in this issue, through the appointment of the new well being Chaplain to Croydon Health Services (page 9) and a reminder from Wendy Stephens, our full-time Anglican Chaplain at HMP Wandsworth, that next week is Prisons Week (page10).

We have so much and so many to pray for, and so many and so much for which we give prayerful thanks.

Ruth Martin

NEWS IN BRIEF

Ofsted Inspection ‘Good’ in all categories

St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School and Nursery in Redhill has been rated ‘good’ in every category by Ofsted. The school is part of the SDBE Multi-Academy Trust and was visited by inspectors at the end of June. Children, staff and parents are rightly proud of their welldeserved achievements.

Access Jamaica UK

The Jamaican Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) will be at St Mary’s Centre, Ladywell Road, Lewisham SE13 7UW from 6 – 8 October, 9am–4pm. They will be there to facilitate express passport and citizenship processing services. If you need to renew an adult or child passport, replace a lost or stolen passport, want to apply for citizenship by descent or marriage, please register at: https://www.pica.gov.jm

Stop modern slavery – right here, right now!

Come to Southwark Cathedral to find out what we can all do to stop modern slavery thriving. Join us at Southwark Cathedral for talks by the Clewer Initiative, Surrey Police and our modern slavery advisors RASJF. Saturday 26 November, 10am–1pm. More information and sign up: https://bit.ly/3Usr2AD

Farewell service

A farewell Evensong celebrating Bishop Richard’s ministry in Interfaith work, Science, the Environment and Education will take place at Southwark Cathedral on 13 October at 5:30pm.

Welcome service for Bishop Rosemarie

St Matthew, Redhill hosted a welcome service for Bishop Rosemarie on 29 September at which parishioners and clergy from across the Croydon Episcopal Area attended.

Assistant Director for Formation appointed

The Revd Anne Stevens, presently Vicar of St Pancras, Euston Road, has been appointed as Assistant Director for Formation (IME 2 – Curate Training and Development) with effect from 1 December 2022. Anne was previously Vicar of St Michael’s, Battersea and Diocesan Director of Reader Training.

Candle recycling hub set up at St Mark, Surbiton

St Mark has set up a collection point hub for candle ends for the Recycled Candles Company. If you have candles that need recycling, here are the details:

Collection Point name: St Mark’s Parish Office, Surbiton. Collection Point contact :Clare Chesterman, 020 8390 9129, sasms@btinternet.com. Location address St Mark’s Parish Office, St Mark’s Hill, Surbiton KT6 4LS. Open Tuesday to Friday 9am–pm.

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BLACK HISTORY

Top row: members of the multigeneration congregation.

Row 2: students CJ (left) and Sandra (centre) read their essays to an attentive congregation.

Row 3: students led much of the service; The Revd Stanley Njoka, Chair of the Woolwich Area Racial Justice Committee, and daughter Taraji; The Revd Solomon Ekiyor.

Bottom row: workshop activity; talented student, Samuel Johnson, blessed the congregation with his drumming.

IN FOCUS... News from our parishes

First class music in sympathetic venue!

All Saints, Tooting was lit up with a fortnight of arts events as part of the Wandsworth Arts Fringe Festival. An estimated 2000 people came through the church for the festival. “A lively, varied and inclusive set of performances – everyone very supportive of other performers,” said a visitor.

A harpsichord concert in the Lady Chapel brought music associated with the environment alive, as the audience sat close to this historic instrument. “Pawel Siwczak created a bit of magic in the Lady Chapel”. The magnificent organ not only duelled with its smaller counterpart but also was used to improvise a suite around Tooting including Tooting Platform and Tooting Tulips – “a wonderful evening of organ playing at the spectacular All Saints Church Tooting – exciting and creative.”

Associate Priest of All Saints, The Revd June Boyce-Tillman said, “The Community Concert reflected our diverse community including songs from a Yoruba tradition, the Baked Bean choir for people with learning difficulties, the local primary schools, classical pieces from an A Capella group of superb female singers, soloists from a variety of ages and traditions on instruments such as the oboe and flute and songs the audience could join in. The local MP, Rosena Allen-Khan, supported

this event. A fine choral evensong was provided by the Platinum Consort. The impressive jazz ensemble, The Senior Street Sextet, gave a varied presentation of music from a variety of styles that excited and invigorated the audience. The Beautiful World of Holiness presented a musical meditation on the Psalms, a unique interactive event using live musical performances as a springboard for discussion about the environment and humanity’s responses to God’s Creation.”

She continued, “Believing in our desire to be hospitable to everyone, we were a hub for other events including two open mike events one concentrating on LGBTQIAA issues, an uplifting concert by Fuzion Four Jazz, a workshop on singing for mental health, a one-woman therapeutic poetry show and Giant Folk whose soaring sounds swirled around the magnificent acoustic. Two concerts by the Wandsworth Music service for children aged 4–7 emphasised the relationship between music making and well-being as well as bringing immense vitality to the event. Many of those who came remarked that this was their first entry into a beautiful

Veteran Campaigner for women’s ordination dies

The Revd Margaret Mabbs (BA Oxon), who, from 1942 campaigned for the rights of women’s ordination, died on 30 June, aged 98 after a short illness.

Margaret was ordained in June 1994 and following her retirement at the age of 95, Bishop Christopher awarded the Lancelot Andrewes Medal in recognition of her Godly Service and Zeal for the Gospel.

On 24 July Margaret was received into St Luke’s, Eltham for the evening service. The Benediction was officiated by Eltham & Mottingham Area Dean, the Revd Dr Catherine Shelley. The Requiem Mass took place the following day and was officiated by The Dean of Southwark, The Very Reverend Andrew Nunn.

Church, Westmount Road, Eltham SE9 1XY. All are very welcome to attend.

Bishop Karowei Dorgu and the Revd Simon Winn of St Alfege, Greenwich, wrote a letter to the new PM, Liz Truss. Simon handdelivered it with a small hand-held cross.

The Prime Minister lives in the parish of St Alfege and was married there.

Read the full letter here: https://bit.ly/3CgLOMm

church which looked a little severe on the outside and others recalling distant family events that had taken place there.”

This was an innovative event for the church and an active committee under the leadership of June Boyce-Tillman managed the complexity of it all. “We were assisted by a grant from Wandsworth Borough Council. We are hoping that more musical events involving the skills of the local community will follow as part of the church’s outreaching, ministry of well-being and the expression of God’s generosity,” said June.

“The atmosphere was electric. Everyone was happy and having a good time. I was made to feel welcome straight away. I enjoyed the Fringe immensely and have never attended something like this before. I will be back!”

at 10am St Luke’s

The interment of ashes will take place during St Luke’s Patronal Feast Day on Sunday

An exhibition based on Margaret’s work and life will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women in 2024. Watch St Hilda’s Living History where former alumni, including Margaret, are interviewed about their life and work: https://bit.ly/3ybZiqo

St Luke’s extends thanks to all who took part in, and attended the funeral.

Prime Minister Truss receives gift of a cross from her parish priest and Bishop

Left: Pawel Siwczak at the harpsichord. Right: Wandsworth Music engage children in a lively demonstration of music making.

The Revd Simon Winn

Jazz ensemble, The Senior Street Sextet.

St James, Kidbrooke said a sad farewell to one of its longest-standing members recently. Paddy Payne is moving out of London to a village near Sheffield to be closer to her family.

Paddy and her husband Chris worked for the Church Mission Society (CMS) for eight years with the Church in Iran. They lived in Shiraz where Chris was a hospital doctor and they brought up their four girls there, one of whom was born in Shiraz. Paddy became a fluent Persian speaker, a skill that from time to time has been very valuable at St James.

At the event marking her time at St James, the Rector Kim Hitch mentioned the high esteem in which Paddy has been held, and the unstinting service she has given to the church. She was twice church warden, a role in which her

pastoral gifts were much in evidence. For many years she was a small group leader with a distinctively creative and challenging approach. She and Chris were always very generous in opening their home to others. For many years she led a prayer and meditation stillness group, and many people have reason to be grateful to her for her work as a spiritual director. Throughout much of this time she also worked with CMS, serving as a trustee: she was also part of their recruitment process, bringing her knowledge of people to the task selecting the right individuals to serve with CMS.

Richard Philpot, Reader at St James, spoke about the way Paddy personified one of the best aspects of being a church, as a cross age-group of ethnically diverse people from all backgrounds seeking to be disciples of Jesus. He spoke of how Paddy had over many

St Helier Centre of Mission Choir – song and friendship in one place

Hayley Humphreys, Pioneer Evangelist in the parish of St Helier writes:

A couple of people who have attended St Peter’s church for a while have longed to start a choir, then when we had some new people start the church and they too wanted to start a choir, but when we opened our doors to start a coffee morning and those attendees started talking about starting a choir we really sat up and listened!

We started mentioning it to other people, a local community leader who had started the St Helier Music Festival had been involved in one before and said it would be great fun and she would be interested in coming along and suggested we could perform at the switching on of the Christmas lights! At this point, with people interested and an event to perform at, I made a call to a musical contact locally

years been a model for so many in the church as they found her listening skills and quiet encouragement so valuable. As a good friend and wise counsellor, she would be much missed.

In turn, Paddy thanked Kim and Richard for their recollections. She then recalled the time of the Iranian revolution, how she was forced to leave, without Chris, with her four girls, carrying innumerable pieces of luggage, first making their way to Bahrain and then ultimately to the United Kingdom. At that time, Chris had to stay to support the remaining CMS workers, but in the end they were all forced to leave. With all the turmoil, there were very real threats to their lives, as their Iranian priest and other friends were murdered in the aftermath of the revolution. But the family eventually found themselves in St James, and Chris joined the Bermondsey Medical Mission as a GP. Paddy spoke movingly of the welcome

and love she and the family found in the church at St James, something she has always been grateful for. She said she would

take all these happy memories with her as she relocates to be closer to her daughters.

who just happened to know someone who would be interested in leading a choir.

Andrew Garrido is an award-winning pianist, he trained at the Guildhall School of Music, lives locally and is involved in his local church.

At one of our coffee mornings staff from NHS Sutton were present as they were offering free health advice to our attendees. They heard about the choir idea and as we were talking about the health benefits, they suggested we might be able to get funding for it. We are trialling it for the first three months and

will look at measuring the benefits, from helping to build friends, ending isolation and loneliness to improving physical or emotional health and well-being.

Through our choir we hope also to be able to signpost to other activities in the parish and to connect them with the spiritual life of the church too.

We hope we might get to perform for Christmas at the Carol service too. We will wait and see!

Through our choir we hope also to be able to signpost to other activities in the parish and to connect them with the spiritual life of the church too.

Khoda Hafez, Paddy Payne – “May God protect you, Paddy Payne” (Persian)

Andrew Garrido, award-winning pianist, leads the choir.

Remembering Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll

The country went into national mourning when her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll died on 8 September. Parishes across the Diocese opened books of condolence, rang bells, held requiem Eucharists and services of thanksgiving.

The Proclamation of the Accession to the throne of His Majesty King Charles lll was read out in cathedrals, town squares and on the steps of local government buildings throughout the land. At Southwark Cathedral The Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Sunil Chopra, read the Proclamation to the people of Southwark, including Bishop Christopher and Bishop Karowei. The same was repeated in Croydon and Kingston at which our Area Bishops Rosemarie and Richard were in attendance.

Top: The Queen at a visit to Southwark Cathedral shortly after her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Clockwise from top left (photos © Eve Milner); the First Reading read at the Thanksgiving Service at Southwark Cathedral by Sir Kenneth Olisa, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London; Bishop Richard and Team Rector the Revd Joe Moffatt lead the Civic Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at All Saints Kingston; The Mayor or Lambeth, Councillor Pauline George, and other dignitaries at the Thanksgiving Service; Prayers led by young people from the Cathedral and St Hugh’s; Archbishop Stephen Cottrell presided and preached at Choral Eucharist at Southwark Cathedral; Bishop Christopher at A Service of Thanksgiving for the life and reign of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll at Southwark Cathedral.

In his sermon at the Choral Requiem Eucharist for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll on 16 September, Dean Andrew Nunn said, “Death is our second birth, to life, the eternal life of which Jesus speaks in the gospel, to life to which the dead will be raised, Elizabeth and Lazarus, sister and brother with you and me. The assurance we have is that our Queen knew this, she lived this, this was her faith, so much lived, so much loved, the jewels in her crown, the garments she wore.”

Approximately 250,000 people queued to see The Queen lying in state at Westminster Hall. The queue, which Bishop Christopher described as a modern day pilgrimage, wound its way through the South Bank from Bermondsey passing Southwark Cathedral over Lambeth Bridge and onto Westminster Hall. Many lay and ordained people from the Diocese provided chaplaincy support.

In his sermon at the service of Thanksgiving for the life and reign of Her Late Majesty, Bishop Christopher said, “Knowing that she had been called by God, The Queen lived out her vocation rather than shouting it forth. In an age of celebrity, division, noise, and clamour, she spent her long life in dutiful service with an uncomplaining dedication that she derived from her pledge to us and to God.”

It is estimated that 5.1 billion people worldwide watched the funeral on Monday 19 September. Several churches opened their doors to watch together. Viewers would have heard music arranged by The Revd Matthew Watts (Parish of Mortlake and East Sheen), a former Army musician in the Scots Guards Band and Staff Arranger for the Household Division. He was responsible for arranging the funeral music for royal funerals, including the State Funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. “I was so proud of everyone there doing that job that I did for so many years. Only two years ago it would have been me there. I am proud of what I had done,” he said.

Watch a message from Bishop Christopher following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll here: https://bit.ly/3CwPqtZ

Watch the Choral Requiem Eucharist for Her Late Majesty The Queen from Southwark Cathedral here: https://bit.ly/3rugZOb

Watch Choral Eucharist and Sermon from the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell here: https://bit.ly/3C7l67F

Watch the Service of Thanksgiving for the life and reign of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth here: https://bit.ly/3RCgX18

Clockwise from top to left: The Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Sunil Chopra read the Proclamation to the people of Southwark; The Proclamation Ceremony on the steps of the Guild Hall in Kingston; Vauxhall MP, Florence Eshalomi, signs the book of condolence at Christ Church, Brixton Road; Sophie Bull, bell ringer at St Mary Magdalene, Wandsworth; ‘The Queue’ which wound passed Southwark Cathedral and has been described as a modern-day pilgrimage.

Former Scots Guard, The Revd Matthew Watts.

Eve Milner

© Eve Milner

IN FOCUS... News from the Diocese

Service of rededication marking £5.5 million restoration

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, visited St John, Waterloo to lead a Service of Rededication on Sunday 2 October as the £5.5 million restoration of this 1826 Grade II* historic London church nears completion.

The service was attended by some 250 people, all supporters of St John’s ambition to be a continuing Christian presence in this busy part of central London. Among those attending were the leader of Lambeth Council, Councillor Claire Holland, Christopher Wellbelove, Deputy Lieutenant for Lambeth, the Bishop of Kingston, Richard Cheetham, and Simon Gates, Archdeacon of Lambeth.

“Today we welcomed all who have worked so long and so hard to see through this monumental challenge.”

Revd Canon Giles Goddard, Vicar of St John’s, said: “We are honoured that the Archbishop came to St John’s to help us launch an important new era in the life of our church. Today we welcomed all who have worked so long and so hard to see through this monumental challenge: the architects, builders, surveyors, engineers, craftspeople, sustainable energy experts, painting conservators and technicians,

and the trusts, foundations and donors who believed in our vision. Above all, we gave thanks for our generous, inclusive congregation. It was their desire for a church that played a full role in its community that kept us going and brought us to this day.”

Archbishop Justin Welby said: “This is the second time St John’s has transformed itself to bring hope after a period of national despair. During the Second World War, a fire-bomb fell through the roof but in 1951 the church was rebuilt to be the official church of the Festival of Britain. Now, as it reopens in these post-pandemic times, St John’s is a place where relationships are being rebuilt and community strengthened.”

Bishops and Diocesan Secretary receive Eco Diocese Bronze Award Plaque

At July’s Synod, Bishop Christopher announced that the Diocese had achieved Eco Bronze Award status. The plaque has arrived, pictured here from left to right with Diocesan Secretary, Ruth Martin, Bishop Richard, Bishop Christopher and Bishop Rosemarie. Full story: https://bit.ly/3E2SajH

The Merbecke Choir, Southwark Cathedral’s Chamber Choir, performed on 23 September with the London Gospel Choir and on 27 September at the ‘Come Home Again’ sculpture outside the Tate Modern. Choir Director Emily Elias said of the experience, “It was a beautiful thing to be part of and a real privilege to perform in front of a large and varied audience, some of whom were encountering this type of music for the first time.’ They will be performing Bach’s B minor Mass at Southwark Cathedral on 3 December.

Archbishop Justin Welby enacts part of the rededication ceremony. © Eleanor Bentall

The Merbeck Choir, Southwark Cathedral’s Chamber Choir, recently sang at Tate Modern

Lucy Irvine

© Eleanor Bentall

IN FOCUS... News from the Diocese

New Well-being Chaplain providing care and support to staff and patients in their mother tongue

The Revd Deborah Premraj has been appointed Chaplain of Wellbeing at Croydon Health Services. She started on 1 September and is supporting the Head of Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care, the Revd Andy Dovey and working alongside Pentecostal Ecumenical Chaplain, the Revd Lynbert Douglas.

Deborah, who was ordained in 1997 in the Church of South India, is not new to the Chaplaincy as she has been volunteering for the last year. Her husband, the Revd Dhanaraj Premraj, is Priest in Charge at St Edwards, New Addington and she was introduced to Andy and the Chaplaincy a year ago by the former Bishop of Croydon Jonathan Clark. “The past one year has been a truly enriching experience for me. The availability of the Chaplain for the patients is one thing that has really impressed me and made me make that commitment to serve the people here. Just being here has been wonderful. To see how the patients, who have had an experience of pain and loss, have felt that they have this spiritual care that the Chaplain offers,” said Deborah. Andy is excited to have her on board as the team has only ever had two full-time substantive staff. “Deborah has some very special talents apart from the fact that from a pastoral sensibility she has a wonderful pastoral presence about her. She is a very devout and prayerful lady. She also comes with

five Indian languages that she speaks fluently. We have relied heavily over the years on our eighty-four volunteers to support the work that we do. When we hit COVID, we had to release them all. It was left to the substantive staff chaplains to manage 4,500 staff and 750 patients. Once COVID was over we then had the volunteers back but what it made us realise is the vulnerability of the service that we provide and that if there is another pandemic, or another wave of some type, where we can only have substantive staff, then it is not sufficient for two,” said Andy.

It is for this reason that Deborah was appointed. She will mainly look after staff well-being as well as continuing with ward visits. Over 40% of the staff are from the Asian sub-continent.

Deborah has been able to provide care and support to them in their native language, thereby enhancing the pastoral care provided to them. “When I visit the wards most of the staff are from the south part of India, especially from Kerala, Chenai and Bangalore and

all these languages are familiar to one coming from south India. We would know Tamil, which is my mother tongue. Very many people are from Sri Lanka and speak Tamil,” said Deborah who believes they are happy to chat with the Chaplain in their own language.

Deborah has also been supporting young mothers who have had miscarriages and who don’t speak English by speaking to them in their own language, translating the postmortem and helping with the funeral. Speaking of one family she said, “It was very comforting and reassuring to the mother and the father to know that the funeral has been in their own language,” she said.

With over 26 years of ministry behind her, Deborah is embracing her new role, “Our team here has made me feel that this role is what God has called me to do and I am really enjoying it,” she said.

“Our team here has made me feel that this role is what God has called me to do and I am really enjoying it.”

Celebrating 20 years since ordination through the Ordained Local Ministry scheme

On the 29 September 2002, seven people from the Ordained Local Ministry Scheme were ordained Deacon by Bishop Tom Butler at Southwark Cathedral. Two from this group have since died – Roy Brenchley of St Olave, Mitcham in 2010 and Grahame Stephens, St Michael & All Angel’s, Woolwich, in 2014.

Twenty years to the day The Revds Pat Alden (now in Chichester Diocese), Steve Bishop (Christ Church, Purley), Derek Brice (PTO in the Cheam Team Ministry) and John Wates (PTO at St Margaret, Chipstead), were blessed by Bishop Christopher during Holy Eucharist at his staff retreat at Wychcroft. The Revd Godfrey Kaziro of St John, Waterloo was unable to join them due to ill health.

Left to right: Chaplains Lynbert Douglas, Deborah Premraj and Andy Dovey.

Prisons Week – Praying for prisoners and their families

Wendy Stephens, Diocesan SPA and Full-time Anglican Chaplain at HMP Wandsworth, writes:

Sunday 9 October not only sees the first joint Licensing and Commissioning Service for Lay Ministry at Southwark Cathedral, but it also marks the beginning of Prisons Week 2022. For me, this link is important as I began my prison ministry in 2013 as part of my training to become a Southwark Pastoral Auxiliary. Now as a Licensed Lay Minister, I am employed by the Ministry of Justice as full-time Anglican Chaplain at HMP Wandsworth.

Prisons Week is a week when Christians everywhere are encouraged to pray for prisoners and their families, the victims of crime and their communities and those working or volunteering in the criminal justice system, including prison chaplains and the many organisations such as Prison Fellowship, the Mother’s Union, Official Prison Visitors, Change for Good and Nehemiah which support the important and invaluable work done inside and outside of prison.

This year’s theme for Prisons Week is ‘thank you’. As chaplains we encourage those in our care to say ‘thank you’ for the small things, even when it is hard to be thankful because life feels hopeless,

lonely, or unfair. But small things can be the big things – another chance, an opportunity to make amends, to give thanks for food and shelter, the kind word from a stranger, the air we breathe.

There are five prisons in the Southwark Diocese: HMPs Belmarsh, Isis, Thameside, Brixton and Wandsworth. Two others, HMPs High Down and Downview fall just outside the Diocese in Banstead but many of the prisoners will come from the London area. In this Prisons Week , please pray for the prisons in the Diocese and throughout the country and think about how you as individuals and churches can help the people for whom you are praying.

Wendy has recorded prayers for each day of Prison Week which we will be sharing on our website and social media platforms.

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

and friends, prison staff and all who care. Heal those who have been wounded by the actions of others, especially the victims of crime. Help us to forgive one another, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ in his strength and in his Spirit, now and every day.

Andrew Nunn

Have you got a mat at the door? If you have, does it say ‘Welcome’? And if it does say welcome to those who step over your threshold what in fact does that welcome look like? It’s easy to put a mat down at the door, something to wipe your feet on as you come in, but it’s another to be truly welcoming.

Andrea Levy’s amazing novel ‘Small Island ’ gives a moving and at times shocking account of what those of the ‘Windrush Generation’ found when they arrived on the island that they’d been led to believe was as much home for them as the place and communities they were leaving. They thought they’d be welcomed with open

arms, that there’d be a friendly mat at every door. We know that the reality was very different.

But it wasn’t just landlords who metaphorically took the welcome mat away, something similar happened in some of our churches, where people who’d been brought up as good Anglicans found themselves frozen out of the very churches they recognised as familiar territory, a place to worship the God they’d grown up loving and serving.

It’s 74 years since the Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury and its passengers left the ship to start a new life, but as we

keep Black History Month together we remember that the challenges that faced our sisters and brothers, newly arrived on our shores,then, continue to face new arrivals today. The welcome people expect is not always the welcome they receive.

The image of Christ that Cécile Schnyder produced for the recent Diocesan Conference was powerful. It was huge, filling the back of the stage, engaging everyone who came into the hall. Now

it hangs in the Cathedral, there as people come in. Jesus is black and he has his arms stretched out, welcoming, ready to embrace you. His face is open, ready to receive you, receive us. At his sides are streams of people ‘from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages’ as it says in the Book of Revelation (Rev 7.9), people just like you and me.

Maybe this month we can look again at our welcome and pray that it may be as warm and open and honest as the welcome that Jesus extends to us.

God of welcome, as with open arms and loving heart you embrace us, may we enfold each of our neighbours with warmth and love.

WHAT’S ON

Please send details of your next events for NOVEMBER ONWARDS to Trinity House

FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER

October

5 OCTOBER ONWARDS

 LEE Every Wednesday St Mildred’s Church will be open as a warm, safe space for those wanting a change of scenery… to work, chat and be warm. Currently 11am–3pm. St Mildred’s Road SE12 0RB. Free. All welcome.

6–8 OCTOBER

 LEWISHAM Access Jamaica UK

The Jamaican Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency will be at St Mary’s Centre to facilitate express passport and citizenship processing. St Mary’s Centre, Ladywell Road, Lewisham SE13 7UW. 9am–4pm. To renew or replace a passport, or to apply for citizenship by descent or marriage, please register at: https://www.pica.gov.jm

SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER

 PURLEY Croydon & Central Zimbabwe Link Fun Quiz Evening. Tickets £15 pp; includes fish/pie/veg sausage & chips, coffee & soft drinks. Bring your own wine. 7pm, Christ Church, Brighton Road CR8 2BN. Please pre-order for catering purposes and book your team place: contact Rosemarykempsell@gmail.com

MONDAY 10 OCTOBER



TELFORD PARK START is a free six week course exploring faith and life. Mondays 7.30–9pm starting on 10 October at St Thomas’ Church, Telford Avenue SW2 4XW. We will have fun, interactive video clips and informal discussions about life and faith. Free. Sign up here: stwss.org.uk/start

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

TUESDAYS 11 AND 18 OCTOBER



EAST DULWICH Black History Month talks:11th Legacy of slavery, models of reparation; 18th Forgotten fighters – black servicemen and women. Tuesdays 7–8pm at the Goose Green Centre, St John’s Church, East Dulwich Road SE22 9AT. All welcome.

SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER

 SOUTH NORWOOD

African and Caribbean evening at St Alban’s Church Hall, 1 Whitehorse Lane SE25 6RD. 7pm, tickets £10.

SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER

 SOUTH NORWOOD St Alban’s Church celebrates Black History Month with a service at 10am. Grange Road, CR7 8SA. All welcome. Free.

SUNDAY 16 OCTOBER



LOCAL Christians Against Poverty (CAP) hold their CAP Sunday. Alternatively, this could be on any date that suits you! New resources have been launched, from debt counselling charity CAP, to help churches respond to UK poverty. The theme, Lament to Hope , will inspire individuals through worship to bring our lament for those impacted by the cost of living crisis before God, listening to how we are being called to respond. For further details see: capuk.org/sunday

TUESDAY 18 OCTOBER



BERMONDSEY Spirituality, environment and climate change event. Hosted by Spidir, the network promoting spiritual direction in the area which includes Southwark Diocese. Judith Russenberger, both a spiritual director and a third-order Franciscan, and with a special interest in this field, will lead a study day which addresses the spiritual aspects of the way we face up to environmental crisis. 10.30am–2pm. Free entry with a collection in aid of environmental charities. St Hugh, Bermondsey. Crosby Row, SE1 3PT. To book email susanjcharles@aol.com

♫ St Peter, Streatham

November

FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER

 SOUTHWARK The Cathedral is hosting the annual sponsored SleepOut for the Robes Homeless Charity. Robes offers support, advice, housing and food to about 30 guests over the winter. It aims to help the guests find employment and longerterm accommodation. Sign up to sleep out under the stars in the Cathedral Churchyard. Teams and families are welcome. Alternatively, come along for the evening of celebrity entertainment and make a donation to support this worthwhile charity. Find more details about registering and fundraising here: https://robes.org.uk/sleepout-robes

SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER

 SOUTHWARK Modern Slavery: Right Here, Right Now. You can stop it! Find out how and what we can all do to stop modern slavery thriving. Come to Southwark Cathedral,10am–1pm. Free. For more information and to sign up, visit: https://bit.ly/3Usr2AD

11–30 OCTOBER



SOUTHWARK Luke Jerram’s Gaia arrives at Southwark Cathedral on 11 October. Entry by ticket only in advance; high demand expected. Daytime 9.30am–4.30pm entry is free, suggested donation £3. Selected evenings (visit link below) entry £5 per adult, family ticket £12. For more details or to book please visit: https://bit.ly/3rbqLo8

♫ Croydon Minster

October:

October:

October:

Croydon Minster,

Street, Croydon

recitals take place

November and December, details: croydonminster.org

a Packed Lunch.

Entry – Donations to Minster Funds.

FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER

 HOLLOWAY THE ROUGH MARK. The first live performance of the whole of the Gospel According to St Mark in a new translation by the respected biblical scholar, the Revd Canon Professor Richard Burridge. 7.30–10pm (doors open 7pm), St Luke’s Church, West Holloway, Hilmarton Road, N7 9JE. In-person tickets in advance or at the door £10 (£7.50 concessions). To reserve/pay in advance: treasurer@ saintlukeschurch.org.uk. Queries and details for the online live stream: richard.burridge@manchester.ac.uk (Donations welcome of at least £5).

Upcoming concerts and recitals.

Sunday 16 October, 11.45am:

Recital: ‘I will sing of the goodness of God’: A gospel recital for Black History Month, by Rámond Mitchell. The concert is free; a collection will be taken for the performer, and the work of St Peter’s.

Saturday 12 November, 7.30pm: Concert: Streatham Choral. Mendelssohn (Fanny) – Gartenlieder; Schumann (Clara) – Lieder; Brahms –Ein deutsches Requiem; Conductor Calum Fraser. Tickets: https://www. streathamchoral.com/

St Peter’s Church, Leigham Court Road, Streatham SW16 2SD.

Further concerts and recitals take place in late November, details: www.stpetersstreatham.org

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

27 February – 6 March

Led by Bishop Christopher, the Bishop of Southwark, with Bishop Paul Hendricks, Assistant Bishop in the Archdiocese, as well as Andrew Nunn, the Dean of Southwark, and Michael Branch, the new Dean of St George’s Cathedral.

For more details watch this video: https:/bit.ly/3rrLZyo, or see our website: bit.ly/3Kp6vbr

Email queries: pilgrimage23@ southwark.anglican.org

IN FOCUS... News from the Diocese

Proud participants receive Bishop’s Certificate

Southwark Cathedral was filled with a sense of achievement and joyous celebration on Saturday 24 September as the Bishop’s Certificate Growing in Faith and Life participants of 2021/22 received their certificates from Bishop Rosemarie Mallett.

In her welcome, The Revd Canon Wendy Robins, Director of Discipleship, Lay

Ministry and Continuing Ministerial Education, welcomed the 50 participants and their families and friends, “It is a great pleasure always to have people who have done the Bishop’s Certificate and it is wonderful that so many people each year do the Bishop’s Certificate. It is my role to say thank you for doing it. I hope you will feel justly proud of yourselves.”

The first bible reading from Zechariah 9:1–12 was read by Ashleigh Wakefield

from the Tuesday group and the second bible reading from Mark 10:46–52 by Sandra Blackman, from the Thursday group.

In her sermon, Bishop Rosemarie said, “Neither the Queen nor Bartimaeus got an “ology” in following Jesus, but they were faithful disciples. The certificate will not make you better disciples, just perhaps more informed members of Christ’s family.

After the training, however, the real work of discipleship continues, putting into practice how we who profess the faith, how we can lead, enable and serve as we follow Jesus and defend the faith.”

In an interview with the Lay Training Officer, Peter Graystone, Veronica Mills, from the Wednesday group shared how the course has helped her grow in faith and life. She said, “It has become an anchor and has filled me up. The Bishop’s Certificate has pinged me alive again. It was wonderful!”

The participants were then presented with a scroll bearing a prayer of

affirmation and each was congratulated by the Bishop. Ashleigh Wakefield presented Peter Graystone with a gift on behalf of the participants, with their thanks and appreciation. The service was followed by a drinks reception.

“It has become an anchor and has filled me up. The Bishop’s Certificate has pinged me alive again. It was wonderful!”

Read reflections from a few 2021/2022 participants of the Bishop’s Certificate here: https://bit.ly/3RrA3XL

Find out more

If you are interested in taking the course or knows someone who would be find out more here https://bit.ly/3CdFoxK

Ordinations Diocesan installations

COVID prevented some ordinations taking place during Petertide.

The Revd Mel Wynn (right) was ordained Deacon by Bishop Rosemarie on 1 October at Springfield Church, Wallington. “COVID delayed her Petertide ordination, but could not stop Mel’s calling to serve God in church and community as she now continues to serve as Curate to the parish,” said Bishop Rosemarie in a tweet.

On 11 September, Bishop Christopher and Dean Andrew installed The Revd Canon Jeremy Clark-King as the new Canon Treasurer at Southwark Cathedral. Jeremy (above) is also Director for Clergy Formation and Initial Ministerial Education (IME) in the Diocese and takes over from The Revd Leanne Roberts who was licensed as Dean of Clergy Well-being at Southwark Cathedral on 7 September. She was presented with a Public Preachers Licence from Bishop Christopher.

Above: The Revd Jane Andrews (right), Putney Team Ministry, and The Revd Dr Sylvia CollinsMayo (left), Mortlake with East Sheen Team Ministry, were ordained by Bishop Richard on

Saints, Putney.

Bishop’s Certificate graduates delighted to have received their certificates from Bishop Rosemarie, with friends and family attending the service. Top: Peter Graystone, Lay Training Officer. All photos © Eve Milner.